Community Resource Specialist

Hopeworks; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Hopeworks is seeking a Community Resource Specialist to manage a portfolio of community partners, connecting young adults with Hopeworks opportunities. You will represent Hopeworks at events and fairs, coordinate partner activities, and lead recruitment and outreach to ensure effective engagement.

You will support youth in enrolling and navigating community resources, collaborate with the Youth Development Team, and track outcomes to improve offerings for the program’s impact.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years working in Community Empowerment.
• Excellent professional communication.
• Ability to work independently.
• Knowledge of community-based organizations.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of community partners to connect youth with Hopeworks offerings.
• Represent Hopeworks at community events and job fairs.
• Recruit and engage partners, coordinating activities with the team.
• Refer young adults to resources and ensure timely follow-up.

Skills

Communication

Independence

Spanish proficiency

Community resources

Tools

G Suite

Job description

Hopeworks is a social enterprise that uses technology, healing, and entrepreneurship to transform lives; on average, over 99% of young adults (aged 17-26) entering Hopeworks are unemployed, making less than $400 annually. Young adults completing the Hopeworks program make, on average, over $43,000 annually, with a 12-month retention rate of over 90% in their jobs. That is the Hopeworks difference.

Our unique trauma-informed approach, combined with high-demand, high-wage technical training and paid work experience in Web Design and GIS helps young people not only get the job but keep it, transforming their lives and the lives of their families.

Hopeworks delivers long-term outcomes, immediate poverty reduction, and opportunity in communities that are often sidelined by structural racism and poverty.

Position & Responsibilities

The primary role of the Community Resource Specialist is managing a portfolio of community partners that both introduce young adults to the opportunities available at Hopeworks and make sure the community resources and supports are in place for those young adults to succeed.

Under the direction and support of the Director of Community Partnerships, this individual will be responsible for managing a portfolio of community partners representing Hopeworks at various community events and job fairs.

Responsibilities

Partnership Management

• Manage a portfolio of community partners including referral partners and resource partners to build positive, mutually beneficial relationships.
• Work alongside other members of the Community Partnerships team to coordinate communication and activities with partners in other Community Resource Specialist portfolios.
• When needed, recruit additional quality partners to join the Hopeworks Partnership Network to add partners to the portfolio

Recruitment

• Coordinate with the Communications Department to ensure that all recruitment material is accurate and up to date
• Stay abreast of community opportunities with portfolio referral partners (virtual and in-person) to connect with youth and share information about Hopeworks and its offerings.
• Participate in recruitment and community engagement activities, including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Support and/or lead Hopeworks presentations at partner agencies
• Follow up on all assigned youth leads within 24 hours with a tour, connection email/call, or a scheduled start date when applicable.
• Maintain accurate reports of engagement activities and outcomes

Resource Navigation

• Meet regularly with Hopeworks young professionals on your caseload to support and assist them in enrolling, accessing, and using community resources, including assisting with paperwork.
• Complete referrals to partners in the Hopeworks Partnerships Network for young professionals on your caseload in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with the Youth Development Team in evaluating the impact on resources towards helping young professionals succeed, and making adjustments to our offerings to respond to the most effective resources and organizations.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 4 years working in Community Empowerment. (ie. community liaison or similar)
• Excellent professional communication.
• Ability to work independently.
• Proficient in G Suite.
• Knowledge of community-based organizations.
• Bilingual and able to read, write, and speak Spanish proficiently (preferred)

In essence, the perfect candidate:

• Is action-oriented, and not satisfied until they have exceeded the goal.
• Loves interacting with people, both to celebrate their successes and to challenge them to improve
• Is goal-oriented and tracks and measures progress through measurable outcomes
• Is a true cheerleader and coach, able to manage both individual relationships and groups